PADANG TERAP: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has hit out at the Communications Ministry's move to set up a committee to monitor the spread of fake news during the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Describing the move as uncalled for, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director claimed it would impede the freedom of expression among the people.
Sanusi said that the move is irrelevant in Malaysia which practices democracy, while stressing that it goes against Pakatan Harapan (PH) principle in championing the freedom of expression.
"In this country's history, the freedom of expression has been impeded the most under Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, even worse than a communist country.
"There is no need (to set up the committee), it is enough for just him (to monitor). The people are already agitated by what he has been doing; if he proceeds to set up the committee, everything will be ruined.
"Even yesterday, several lawyers exposed a number of postings that have been blocked over the past year and a half (compared to the then PN government) and during the previous decades."
"Fahmi has won handsomely in the race to suppress freedom of expression. Congratulations to Fahmi for having a grip on the freedom of expression," he told reporters after taking part in the Greater Kedah Charity Ride at Masjid Kampung Muda in Pedu here today.
Sanusi, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, was responding to Fahmi's announcement yesterday that the ministry is setting up a special committee to clamp the spread of fake news at the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Commenting further, Sanusi claimed that the people could now see the PH-led unity government's true colours.
"If he (Fahmi) proceeds with the special committee, we are wondering what is there to filter, to the extent that we must not attend kenduri (feats), for fear of facing the music for gathering to criticise the government.
"After championing freedom of expression for 25 years, ironically when he came into power, he emerged as the champion in suppressing freedom of expression.
Yesterday, Fahmi was reported as saying that the ministry is setting up a committee to monitor the spread of fake news during the Sungai Bakap by-election.
He had said the move was taken in every by-election, state election or general election.